We had an amazing time at the McIntosh 1890s Festival this year! 🌳🌸 This iconic Florida event, with its rich history and Victorian charm, drew over 40,000 visitors and hosted more than 250 vendors this year. 🎡 From arts and crafts to antiques, custom jewelry, and homemade goodies, there was something for everyone. The McIntosh 1890s Festival is not just a feast for the senses but also a vital fundraiser for local organizations, including the Friends of McIntosh.

CIL was thrilled to be a part of this incredible celebration, sharing information about our impactful work in the area. Did you stop by our booth? Our team was dedicated to spreading awareness about the services and resources available to people with disabilities in our community. We shared insights into our mission and the local initiatives we support. Your support means the world to us, and events like these allow us to connect with you, our amazing community.

Thank you, McIntosh, for your warm hospitality and for being a part of the legacy that makes this festival one of Florida’s premier events. 🌟 Let’s keep building a stronger community together!

ID: This post contains 3 pictures. Picture #1 has a purple background and shows Kevin, Brandon, Sada and Ashlyn at the CIL table with brochures about CIL services. Picture #2 has a turquoise background and shows an overview of the event with attendees walking down the festival street, lined with booth tents and trees. Picture #3 has a bright green background and shows Sada at the CIL booth sharing information with an attendee; Ashlyn is petting a dog next to the booth. All 3 pictures have “McIntosh 1890s Festival” written on the top left corner, the CIL logo displayed on the top right corner, and CILNCF written on the bottom right corner.

Had an amazing time at National Night Out, hosted by Citrus Co. Emergency Management! It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with our community and showcase the incredible partnerships that make our community thrive. Local government groups like the Sheriff’s Dept., Fire Dept., United Way, Supervisor of Election, Publix, and many more came together to strengthen the bond with our neighbors.

Kevin was on a mission, passing out valuable info about CILNCF and spreading awareness about the incredible services we provide. Moreover, he had the chance to network with other companies, building bridges for future collaborations that will benefit our community even more!

National Night Out was all about strengthening community partnerships, and we’re thrilled to be a part of such an impactful initiative. Let’s continue building connections and making a positive impact together!

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Picture 1: Standing at CILNCF table, Kevin Towles (CIL) Lane Schneider (Emergency Management Coordinator), Christopher Evan (Director – Emergency Management Division)
Picture 2: Is the flyer of the event.
Picture 3: Event exhibit showing the vendors and attendees

CIL staff celebrated Halloween with a spooktacular twist as part of our monthly Health and Wellness activities. Gainesville’s team enjoyed a tasty Publix buffet, while Ocala staff relished delicious Publix box lunches. Fun activities included Halloween trivia, word games, a pumpkin challenge, and a lively costume contest. Laughter, sweet and savory treats, and camaraderie made it a memorable day. Throughout the season, our Halloween spirit shone with creative door decorations, and a “Spooky Secret Staff” game added a spooky touch to the weeks leading up to Halloween. We hope you all had a bewitching Halloween season!

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Pic #1: Gainesville staff in the activity room – A group picture with staff members in various costumes, including Clara and Holly as jelly beans, Amy with Haunted Mansion Minnie ears, Ashlyn as an astronaut, Sada as a cockroach, CIL interns Kayla and Jillian as Florida tourists, Cammeron as Akatsuki (Crimson Moon) from Anime, and Alex as a rock star with a spiky red wig and guitar.

Pic #2: Ocala staff – Colleen and Lucinda enjoying lunch at a table, with Colleen dressed as Rey from Star Wars, holding a lightsaber.

Pic #3: Gainesville staff at the buffet – Ashlyn, Stephanie in a Gator jersey, and Lindsey with Stephanie holding her plate of food.

Pic #4: Lunchtime trio – Niusha, Kim, and Claudia at a table, with Claudia holding a cupcake, wearing a bright orange pumpkin shirt.

Pic #5: Sada and Cammeron – Seated at a table in their costumes, enjoying lunch.

Pic #6: Alex with his guitar – Posing in his rock star costume, holding a guitar pick with his right arm raised.

Pic #7: Myrtle as the “Cereal Killer” – Posing in a costume with small cereal boxes and plastic spoons taped to her shirt, holding a plastic knife.

Pic #8: Clara and Holly – Dressed as jelly beans, standing side by side.

Pic #9: CIL interns Kayla and Jillian – Posing in their Florida tourist costumes, with Kayla pretending to take a picture and Jillian pointing with an open mouth and wide-eyed expression.

In collaboration with Advocates for Adult Children with Intellectual Disabilities (AACID) and the FAAST Program, the CIL invites you to a FREE presentation.  The AACID will be discussing various resources, such as food stamps, SSI benefits, and community support options for adult children with intellectual disabilities.  AACID member John Langan will be presenting.

We welcome you to join via Zoom.  Anyone who would like to use their video phone for interpreters, the Zoom information has a phone number which the interpreter can use to connect to the call.

WHEN:  Friday, November 3, 2023 @ 10 AM (EST) / 9 AM (CST)
WHERE:  via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86184197216?pwd=Z25heldmdWFsR1VacmhOU013SENuUT09

Meeting ID: 861 8419 7216
Passcode: 031553

One tap mobile
+13052241968,,86184197216#,,,,*031553# US
+16469313860,,86184197216#,,,,*031553# US

For questions, contact Brandon Palermo at (352) 368-3788 ext. 1012, or via e-mail bpalermo@cilncf.org.

ID:  Graphic includes all the information shared above.  The FAAST and AACID logos are displayed at the top center.  The CIL logo is displayed at the bottom right.  The graphic is bordered with the CIL colors:  fuchsia in the top right, turquoise in the bottom right, green in the bottom left, and blue in the top left.

Florida AgrAbility is thrilled to present “Accessible Beekeeping,” a webinar featuring Danny Bost and Lindsey Head. Hosted in collaboration with the Florida State Beekeepers Association, this is an event will discuss the tools and opportunities for accessible beekeeping.

📆 Event Date: November 9, 2023
🕒 Time: 1:00 PM (EST)
📍Registration Link: https://tinyurl.com/AccessBee

Join us for an un-BEE-lievable opportunity to explore the world of beekeeping like never before. 🐝

We hope you all had a FANGtastic Halloween!  Our ILS consumers sure did!  Yesterday, we had a Halloween Party to celebrate the spooky season.  Everyone had a bewitching time playing several games, eating yummy snacks and enjoying spiced apple cider.  We also had a costume contest, and since only one consumer dressed up as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, he was the official winner!  It was a great day enjoyed by all!

ID:  Image contains four pictures.  Top left is CIL consumer Andrew in his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle costume, who won the costume contest; bottom left is Andrew on zoom; top right is a CIL consumer playing Pictionary; bottom right is the ILS group sitting at a table, enjoying refreshments.

This month, we’re thrilled to share an incredible success story from our Project Search program at Shands Hospital. Ammal Eltigani, our dedicated Employment Consultant Supervisor at CIL, couldn’t be prouder of the remarkable journey of our eight Project Search interns with disabilities.

As their skills trainer, Ammal has witnessed their incredible growth, unwavering determination, and the profound impact they’ve made at the hospital during their internships. These interns have shown us that disabilities are not barriers to success when provided with the right support and encouragement.

Together, these eight interns embody the spirit of determination, resilience, and continuous learning. They’ve taken on challenges, conquered obstacles, and proved that the sky’s the limit!

A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who’s been part of this transformative journey – from the interns themselves to their mentors, coworkers, and our dedicated team of trainers. Together, we’re making a tangible and lasting difference in their lives and shaping the culture of the hospital.

The ultimate goal of Project Search is to see these talented individuals employed at Shands Hospital by the end of the school year, following the successful completion of their rotations.

Let us introduce you to each of our remarkable interns, sharing their inspiring stories along the way.

ID: There are 8 graphics with a photo of the Project Search intern, followed by their correlating caption:

John, an intern at the EVS department, is already exceeding expectations during his first rotation.

Nolan is currently in his inaugural rotation at the EVS department, and his mentors couldn’t be prouder of his progress.

Danniell, who’s been working with the pharmacy department, has already been extended a job opportunity following her internship.

Kennia is an outstanding candidate for the respiratory department, excelling in her role as an equipment tech during her first rotation.

Logan’s distinctive skills make him a strong candidate in the food department, and his co-workers absolutely adore him.

We applaud Katherine for her unwavering dedication and hard work in the in-patient transport department during her first rotation.

Bansiben possesses exceptional communication skills and is diligently contributing to the food department at the moment.

Mathias is thriving in the linen department and has quickly mastered navigating the hospital.

Halloween is a time for spooky fun, creative costumes, and sugary treats, a holiday that brings smiles to the faces of children and adults alike. However, for some, Halloween can be a daunting experience, especially for individuals with disabilities. The Halloween season is an opportunity to make everyone feel welcome and included. In an effort to ensure that individuals with disabilities can fully participate in and enjoy Halloween festivities, we’ve compiled a list of tips to create a more inclusive environment.

1. Understand Non-Verbal Trick-or-Treaters

Some trick-or-treaters may be non-verbal, meaning they may not say “trick or treat!” or “thank you!” It’s important not to take this personally. Communication can be challenging for some individuals with disabilities, and they may simply be incapable of expressing themselves verbally. A smile or a nod of appreciation can be just as meaningful.

2. Welcome “Older” Trick-or-Treaters

Don’t make assumptions about the age of trick-or-treaters. Some individuals who appear older may have developmental delays, and Halloween can still be a special and enjoyable event for them. Embrace the diversity of participants without judgment.

3. Keep Costumes Optional

While costumes are a central part of Halloween, they may not be comfortable for everyone. Those with sensory processing disorders may find costumes oppressive or intolerable. Make sure to let participants know that costumes are optional, and they are welcome to join in regardless of what they are wearing.

4. Be Flexible with the “Take One” Rule

Understand that some individuals with disabilities may have developmentally delayed motor skills. This can make it difficult for them to take just one piece of candy. Instead of enforcing a strict “take one” rule, show patience and allow them to select the candies they prefer.

5. Be Patient with Candy Selection

Some participants may take several minutes to choose candy from the bowl. This may be because they have specific dietary restrictions or allergies and need to carefully select treats that they can enjoy. Give them the time and space they need to make their choices.

6. Avoid Flashing Lights and Loud Music

Decorations are a big part of Halloween, but flashing lights and loud music can be extremely disconcerting for individuals with disabilities. In severe cases, these sensory overloads can even trigger seizures. Opt for a more subdued and sensory-friendly approach to decorations to ensure everyone feels comfortable.

7. Be Kind and Patient

Above all, remember to be kind and patient during Halloween festivities. Individuals with disabilities may face various predispositions and limitations that are not immediately visible. A simple commitment to a compassionate attitude can go a long way in making sure everyone has a pleasant and memorable Halloween night.

🎉 October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and we want to celebrate incredible success stories like Cheryl’s!

Meet Cheryl Lasaga, an incredible individual who turned challenges into triumphs! Cheryl participated in 60 hours of intensive training, gaining a fresh perspective on her career. With her Bachelor’s degree from CF, she embraced her rights and advocacy, paving the way for a successful journey. Cheryl’s positivity shone through as she shared her experiences and laughed with her Employment Trainer, Brandon Palermo. Now, she’s on the path to employment with the support of her Employment Consultant, Lauren McKittrick. Cheryl also explored new educational technologies through the FAAST Demonstration program, proving that determination knows no boundaries!

Friday, October 20th: The CIL invites you to a completely accessible, FREE vaccine clinic in Chiefland, FL!

Whether you or someone you care about requires flu or COVID-19 vaccinations, please save the date.

This clinic is fully equipped to serve individuals with disabilities, and our center is eager to assist you with any special arrangements you may need. Please connect with us for any accessibility needs, including ASL interpreters or other accommodations.

Phone: (352) 378 – 7474
VP: (352) 240 – 3079
Email: Emily Berndt, eberndt@cilncf.org